subject: Several Ways Criminals Utilize To Swipe Your Identity Via The Telephone [print this page] Identity thieves have gotten very smart over time. As per IBM's X-Force Trend and Risk Report bogus mail messages sending consumers to a phony web site also known as phishing is growing. It does not stop there however. There have been an escalation in online server break ins. Not surprisingly the same goes for cellphones given that many people have given up the home phone line and use their cell phones exclusively.
No matter what sort of telephone someone uses identity theft fraudsters have a scam ready and waiting. And it's not like they have to break into it either. Conversing with you directly often times produces the great results since it works on a variety of feelings coupled with the urgency of the issue. Some of these are
1. You Owe The IRS
Very few things will scare you like getting a call from the Internal Revenue Service. The identity thief states something was wrong with your tax information from this year or previous ones. In order to prevent an audit, a serious fiscal penalty fee or even going to prison it is critical that you cooperate with this fake representative.
They are making a calculated gamble that after saying all of this you will be to scared to do anything else. Which means you begin to provide them with as much personal information as possible.
2. Jury Duty Summons
There is a bench warrant for your arrest. You had jury duty on whatever day and failed to appear. Protesting that you never received a summons of any sort does no good. Law enforcement officials are on their way to your house right now. they ask to verify some information. Afterwards they state that they will verify everything is correct and call you back later.
3. The Process Server
This may be in the form of a court subpoena or a supposed debt. Like the Internal Revenue Service and jury duty scams, the identity thief is extremely pushy. This document has to be delivered to you immediately therefore they need to check the address as well as make sure you are going to be there. To your short-term comfort the address doesn't match what's on their records so they are going to verify the social.
4. Congrats You Won The Jackpot
It's a well used con however it can certainly still get the job done. Particularly on the elderly considered to be one of the groups most targeted by identity thieves. You have won whatever sweepstakes. The award can be delivered to you right away but first the "agent" needs you to answer a few questions.
